This Tuesday, October 5, it is Michelin's turn to announce the closure of two sites and, consequently, the elimination of the positions of more than 1,200 employees. The company blames the “collapse” of activity for trucks and vans.
Michelin announced this Tuesday, October 5, the closure before 2026 of two factories in the west of France, Cholet and Vannes, which will eliminate the jobs of 1,254 employees. After a difficult year, the tire manufacturer's management had feared factory closures for several weeks.
Michelin CEO Florent Menegaux said that “it is the collapse of activity which has caused this situation, and I want to tell all these employees that we will not leave anyone behind.” “The circumstances of the European tire market, heavy goods vehicles on the one hand, and vans, mean that we do not see how we could reload these sites structurally in the medium and long term” he adds. The closure was “inevitable” in a market with competition from Asia.
Significant reduction in Michelin's presence in France
In twenty years, the company has already closed six factories in Poitiers, Toul, Joué-lès-Tours, La-Roche-sur-Yon and therefore Cholet and Vannes. This contributes to the sharp reduction in the company's presence in France. A plan to cut 2,300 jobs was also announced in 2021. Once the two companies are closed, Michelin will only have 18,000 employees in France.
The group is also committed to “support each of the employees concerned with tailor-made solutions”with potentially job offers in other companies or the group, or early retirement. The group's union, worried about the future of several French sites, recently broke off discussions with management. However, Michelin intends to propose to the unions a plan “Michelin Industry France 2030”, which should allow “for French sites and their employees to better plan for the future”.
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